Inferior thyroid vein

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 8 Dec 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Vadera S, Hacking C, Bickle I, Inferior thyroid vein. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 20 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-70578

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-70578

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/70578

rID:

70578

Article created:

27 Aug 2019, Sonam Vadera ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Sonam Vadera had no recorded disclosures.

View Sonam Vadera's current disclosures

Last revised:

8 Dec 2021, Craig Hacking ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Revisions:

3 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Head & Neck

Sections:

Anatomy

The inferior thyroid vein, along with the superior and middle thyroid veins contribute to the drainage of the thyroid venous plexus on the anterior surface of the thyroid ¹.

Gross anatomy

After arising from the venous plexus, the left inferior thyroid vein passes downwards to join the left brachiocephalic vein, whilst the right inferior thyroid vein descends obliquely across the brachiocephalic artery to drain into the right brachiocephalic vein, close to its junction with the superior vena cava ². The inferior thyroid vein drains blood from the inferior portion of the thyroid, and parts of the larynx, esophagus and trachea ³.